THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
2. The Details of the Flight.
Though this order was so hard, yet God makes no attempt to lighten it. Indeed, on the contrary, the flight is rendered more arduous by the circumstances.
Arise, now, without waiting for the dawn, without letting a moment pass, without a moment's hesitation. God wants it. There is no time for delay. Merely to do His Holy Will. Take the Child and Its Mother. Flight is always painful and hard, but much more so when it must be done in the company of other weak persons. Joseph is not to fly alone. He must go in the company of the Mother and the Child, and this enormously increases the difficulties. Flee, as though you were criminals who must profit by the darkness of night to slink away. But was there no other way out? Could not God have hidden the Child away? Did He not save Moses in similar circumstances without having recourse to a shameful flight?
It would appear that God chooses the most painful and the hardest ways for His own.
Go to Egypt. Humanly speaking this is absurd. Egypt is so far away. About ten days journeying. And during this time the poor pilgrims could well be found by the soldiers of Herod and thus give them ample chance to kill the Child. Moreover, Egypt is an unknown country where idolatry prevails. How could They safely remain in such a place? But was there not a more favorable country? Moreover, how long is all this going to last? This they are not told. Remain there until further notice. This is terrible. If it were a matter of a few days They could take with them whatever was absolutely essential. But if they were going to stay, perhaps for years, what should they take? These doubts and uncertainties redouble their sorrow. Did Mary break down at that moment? Did heavy tears roll down Her most pure cheeks? She remains serene. Let the Will of God be done.
[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]
2. The Details of the Flight.
Though this order was so hard, yet God makes no attempt to lighten it. Indeed, on the contrary, the flight is rendered more arduous by the circumstances.
Arise, now, without waiting for the dawn, without letting a moment pass, without a moment's hesitation. God wants it. There is no time for delay. Merely to do His Holy Will. Take the Child and Its Mother. Flight is always painful and hard, but much more so when it must be done in the company of other weak persons. Joseph is not to fly alone. He must go in the company of the Mother and the Child, and this enormously increases the difficulties. Flee, as though you were criminals who must profit by the darkness of night to slink away. But was there no other way out? Could not God have hidden the Child away? Did He not save Moses in similar circumstances without having recourse to a shameful flight?
It would appear that God chooses the most painful and the hardest ways for His own.
Go to Egypt. Humanly speaking this is absurd. Egypt is so far away. About ten days journeying. And during this time the poor pilgrims could well be found by the soldiers of Herod and thus give them ample chance to kill the Child. Moreover, Egypt is an unknown country where idolatry prevails. How could They safely remain in such a place? But was there not a more favorable country? Moreover, how long is all this going to last? This they are not told. Remain there until further notice. This is terrible. If it were a matter of a few days They could take with them whatever was absolutely essential. But if they were going to stay, perhaps for years, what should they take? These doubts and uncertainties redouble their sorrow. Did Mary break down at that moment? Did heavy tears roll down Her most pure cheeks? She remains serene. Let the Will of God be done.
[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]
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